The protesters screamed at the Canada Post carrier as he entered the store as well as at an elderly lady who they accused of supporting the “murder” of coyotes. They also showed no concern or compassion when an elderly man who lives less than one block from Brooklyn Clothing informed them that his wife was dying of cancer and the loud screams were overwhelming as she tried to sleep soundly and mediate in peace during her last months of life.

When I attempted to have a conversation with the activists by informing them how First Nations communities benefit from hunting and trapping, they wouldn’t even shut up and listen to my opinions with the respect that everyone deserves.

I don’t buy fur products because I can’t afford such luxuries but the targeted bullying toward one hard-working, successful small business owner doesn’t give any credit to animal-rights groups. It will only further alienate activists with prejudice that they are violent extremists who are unwilling to reason with other people.

I had to laugh when the animal-rights activists were referred to as “bullies” when the customers of fur are in reality paying people to do a lot worse to the animals. if people want to wear fur, go live in a cave.

Protesters have a right to exercise their free speech but not to the point of infringing on the rights of others, such as property owners who are jostled out of their home offices because of ear-piercing noise.

After reaching the unbearable threshold, I proceeded downstairs from my 26th floor apartment — yes, the 26th floor! — across the street to where they chanted. I walked into the store but not before they screamed a barrage of blood-curdling “murderer” yells and continued their rampage as they ran after me when I left. I talked to a police officer who witnessed this from his cruiser and he said his hands were tied.

Protesters, I get it! You spend a lot of time and Lord knows a lot of energy proving your point. But please have respect. All I ask is that you give humans the same dignity and respect that you show animals.

Keep in mind, we are God’s creatures too!

Jeannette Kerr, Vancouver

Politicians don’t care

Tolls are wrong! If they took back about three-quarters of government wages and pensions and bonuses, you would be able to pay for the damn Port Mann Bridge and have change.

What are the politicians’ priorities? The people of Canada, who elected them, or their pockets? We, the people, scrape and save to support your bureaucracy.

Carol Butterfield, Hope

San Francisco has it right

There are eight bridges across San Francisco Bay, all of them tolled. The standard, round-trip toll is $5 except for the Golden Gate Bridge, which is $6 and the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge which is $4. There is a small concession if you are registered with Fastrak and have a transponder decal.

Tolling all Lower Mainland at a significantly lower rate than is currently in effect for the Golden Ears and Port Mann bridges, with the revenue being pooled, would seem to be more equitable, although likely unpopular, than the current situation.

Vern Barlow, Richmond

New West can’t take more vehicles

It was interesting to read Allan Woodbury’s letter Thursday suggesting that New Westminster is frustrating the flow of traffic and transit through Metro Vancouver.

If he would take the time to try and drive through our city at rush hour, he would find that the capacity to add more traffic to the already gridlocked streets of New Westminster simply is not there.

I’m not too sure how people feel they can spend millions of dollars to build a new six-lane Pattullo Bridge, connect it into a four-lane plugged up street and then expect traffic to move any better.

Same goes for the City of Coquitlam that wants to build a new bridge over the Brunette River when there are multiple railway tracks that will not let the traffic move on the road network that is currently served by the old bridge.

New Westminster is willing to take its fair share of the load but is asking its neighbours to build a transportation system that does not assume our city needs or wants any more traffic than it currently can handle.

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